TCU Pro Day Quotes
3/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 12, 2010
TCU head coach Gary Patterson
Opening statement ...
"It's fun to be out here and see the size of the crowd. I remember what it was like 13 years ago. Now, we're able to have it here in the indoor. I think we have all of the NFL teams here, and that's a pretty cool thing for our kids. It also helps with our offseason, recruiting and all of the different things that happen here at TCU. It's been a lot of fun."
On losing these players ...
"I think you always sit and ask yourself, 'How are you going to replace those guys?' If you are a good program, you are always going to find somebody to step in. We wondered the same thing with Tommy Blake and then here came Jerry Hughes. You then thought about replacing Robert Henson and Jason Phillips, and there was Daryl Washington. If we are doing the right things and the things that we need to do, the next guy will grow up."
On advice for the players ...
"Make football the most important thing. People don't get stressed if they are prepared, and that's what we try to train them to do here at TCU. When you are prepared, you don't stress out, you just have fun. This is a very important part of their lives. They don't need to let outside distractions using up as much of their time as becoming a better football player."
On why scouts like TCU players ...
"They have started to know what kind of kids are coming out of TCU. They like that our kids graduate, because it means that they can set goals and achieve them. They also understand that our kids are not going to be the kind of player who will embarrass them. I think that carries over and helps us for the next guy. It shows by all of the people that are here, not just the NFL scouts, but also our own players, former players coming back and the family that we have here.
Jerry Hughes
On his performance today...
"I felt pretty good today. I felt like I was able to come out here and do more drills and linebacker things to show them that I am able to jump out on coverage and open up my hips, and I felt like I did a good job of that. You've got to be able to come out with a smile on your face and work hard for all of these teams that are out here."
On his stress level...
"It's been a little stressful. At times, going through the NFL Combine, we were up at 6 a.m. and getting in around midnight after all of the interviews, but it is all part of the process. You just have to go out there and have fun with it."
On making the transition from running back in high school to defensive end at TCU and going to the NFL as a linebacker...
"It's just another move that I have to make. I feel comfortable at the position with some of the drills that they have had me doing and I'm ready to make that adjustment. I'm really not too concerned about it. I just want to play football."
Marshall Newhouse
On his main focus throughout this process...
"Staying level headed has been important for me. It's a long process and I need to stay in shape. The Draft isn't for another month, so I just need to stay level and focused. It's football when it comes down to it and I enjoy football. It's not a job to me.
On his stress level...
"I'm trying to graduate and that is more stressful than this has been. Football is no problem for me. I just love to get out there and compete. I will do any drill they want me to do. I'll even throw the ball around if they need it. I just love to play."
On how playing at TCU and in the Mountain West Conference has prepared him for this moment...
"There are a lot of guys that are good players and we all play at a high level. Especially in practice, I've had the chance to go up against some of the best players in the nation. There are a lot of athletes and a lot of good people that know football and we prepare hard. It's kind of simple when it comes down to it. It's hard work. There's not really a substitute for it. From the day you get here, you have to put your nose to the grindstone. There are no short cuts."
Daryl Washington
On his performance...
"I felt pretty good. It has been a long two months, getting prepared for this and I thought I did pretty well. I was looking forward to doing the drills. I really prepared myself for the drills. I am in a safety linebacker class and I love competing. I love catching the ball, moving around and just being versatile."
On his focus...
"I can only control what I can control and I'm going to let the rest take care of itself. For the most part, I think I have prepared myself well. I'm going to continue to keep working and wherever I go, I will be happy."
On the steps he has taken to get here...
"It's definitely been a long process. I went to the Senior Bowl, spending a week talking to general managers and a lot of NFL scouts. Then I went to the NFL Combine for the first time. I just love talking with the different coaches and I felt like I did really well with it. Now I'm just really looking forward for it to come up in April."
